The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-17


federates at Vicksburg, for as soon as
the news of the downfall of Memphis
was received, Lee Daniel was ordered
to Pennsylvania to take charge of said
wire, keeping strict lookout for any
Federal boats coming down the river,
as the Federals would no doubt make
an attack on Vicksburg. The writer
was ordered across the river opposite
Vicksburg, with instructions not to be
absent from his post more than one
hour at a time. All batteries at Vicks-
burg were ordered to respect my red
light at night and green flag by day
when crossing the river in a skiff,
which l used for the purpose of send
ing for supplies and forwarding any
news to the general commanding One
dark and stormy night | shall never
forget iD had met several of the SOL
der boys from Houston-my old school
mates, most of them-many long since
dead, but l hope not forgotten, and
naturally we enjoyed ourselves, causing
the writer TO overstay his time some
what. Although having on board con-
siderable amount of Louisiana rum, the
only drink obtainable in Vicksburg, an
idea took possession of me that it was
very important should be at my post at
once, as something might occur which,
should it occur without my knowledge,
would render desertion of the con-
federacv necessary on my part. The
wind was blowing hurricane and the
waves of the old Mississippi were
fearful to look upon. l feared my frail
craft would hardly live in such sea,
but knowing it to be all my own fault
that had been caught in such storm
on the wrong side of the river de-
termined me to cross it at all hazards.
After superhuman efforts / reached the
Louisiana shore in safety. Hastily Sc
curing my boat, with choking sensa-
ton at my throat, for excitement at
neglect of my duty had rendered me
almost a paralytic, rushed into the
office and, as telegraphers say, cut in.
Instantaneously heard my old chum
DanieD calling V, W with the en-
ergy of despair. | answered, i, i, w.
His first words were: Great God, F,
siXty-nine transports and gunbOats
have passed since dark, and as far as
the eye can reach up the river they are
still coming. Rush across and give the
alarm. | leave here, for this line will
be destroyed and of no more service
The storm had not abated, but without
a thought of danger | hurried across to
Vicksburg. A great ball was in prog
ress, at which the general and his
staff, as well as all the beauty and
chivalry of the city and surrounding
country, were present. The great house
was a surging mass of dancers and
promenaders. Singing out the gen.
arol I uallo1 IN hin, f,,llt,
sauting himself and lady partner. |
was thoroughly drenched and mud
from head to foot, nor will ! ever forget
the curious and wondering look given
me by the ladies, with whom l was one
of the favored beaux myself (being a
dandy and masher to my highest ca
pacity). l cannot imagine what they
thought of my appearance. / hadn't
time to feel ashamed of my condition
or at my tramplike outfit in that mag
nificent throng AS stepped close to
the general he exclaimed, Well ,sir!' in
a loud and threatening manner. l
merely handed him piece of paper upon
which l had hastily written the number
of boats that had passed, etc. He
glanced at it first deliberately, but in a
second he drew it close to his eyes.
His face paled, his brow contracted,
and he exclaimed: where did you get
this information, sir y My only reply
was: am stationed across the river,
opposite this city, in charge of the tele-
graph, by your ORDER The great
crowd had pressed around us, as his re-
marks to me were in very high key.
He exclaimed: well done, sir, thank
you;' and turning to the crowd eX-
claimed All officers of the army will
hurry to their respective camps at once.
The enemy are within a few miles OF
us and may land by morning. All fam
lilies wishing to leave the city will be
furnished transportation by rail- In
five minutes that ball was a thing OF
the past. To say there was too much
business for the wires that night is only
supertluous. Half of the messages were
never sent, and only those asking re-en-
forcements from every part of the con.
federacy were transmitted. The first
telegram was to President Davis, APP
prising him of the situation. Every
one then living at Vicksburg remem
bers our big fight at Chicasaw bayou &
day or two afterwards, where the enemy
ie'h'N' "hN WhSiS tiiCN NCiC 81 tCiIlDl)
defeated, causing them to retreat up the
river, not troubling Vicksburg to any
extent for many long day. They
amused themselves occasionally by
sending or attempting to send gun
. boat past our batteries, in which pas
! time they often met with ignominiou:
failure. Right here let me remark thai
that little telegraph line across the rive
closed for repairs, as the Feds, finding
it and knowing that it had appraised thu
!, confeds of their visit, never allowed al
inch of wire or foot of pole of the
: whole seventy-fve miles of line to re
= main in existence. | verify believe
!; they must have eaten it in their blint
: rage. l hope they digested it well
Vale, longum, vale my little tele
graph line. You did your duty nobl
before you were annihilated by the in
vaders, and l will cherish your memoir
| IL, e. Il, l..